Here's the 18th chapter in the Rykrof Enloe series, DARK EXCHANGE... this is a redo of the original chapter I posted a little over a year ago. Check it out if you have time, there are some changes to the original script plus a lot more action shots. A very fun chapter and I'm glad that I have made it this far in the remakes of these stories.

After months of endless fighting, the small planet Kobridor has been torn apart by the Clone Wars.

Outnumbered and outgunned, the Republic forces on the surface struggle to maintain a foothold on the planet.

The primary objective of the Republic's assault on the planet had been to capture a terrorist informant working for the Badoo Corba, but a strong Separatis army has halted the mission to a standstill.

But under the leadership of Commander Rykrof Enloe's 334th Siege Battalion, the Republic forces have held ground on a number of occasions when defeat seemed inevitable.

Wave after wave of battle droids have been turned back by the courageous group of clone soldiers.

But only the most battle hardened troops remain out of the original force that first arrived with Rykrof to take control of the planet...

... and the clone force knows all too well that for each droid they destroy, a dozen more are produced to bolster the Separatist war machine.

But it is the citizens of Kobridor that have suffered the most; their planet reduced to rubble...

...its citizens forced to take up arms to protect themselves. Not only from droids or looters...

...but from the Badoo Corba terrorists who have staked a claim on the planet.

With the Republic having now focused its efforts on the droid army, dozens of terrorist snipers have emerged from the shadows; patiently waiting to eliminate open targets.

After a long night of repelling aerial bombardments, the Republic prepares for a counter strike against the droid army.

The Jedi Masters leading the Republic forces now meet prior to their scheduled assault...

"The enemy's supply lines are stretched thin. I will lead our main force to strike the heart of the droid army, which should distract the Confederacy for Commander Enloe to locate and arrest the Quarren traitor," the Jedi says.

"It has been decided that I will accompany you," Master Kala Mly Shundi says to his friend.

"If our information is correct, the Yam’rii scavenger in the eastern square may reveal the location to us that we need to find the Badoo Corba contact."

Following the briefing Rykrof meets with his friends, Freelo and Ralbarr, to update them on the situation.

"Where did you find that armor, Freelo? You look like a Corellian tortoise!" Rykrof laughs.

Ralbarr then rumbles a deep chuckle in agreement.

"This is better than clone trooper armor!" Freelo argues.

"All kidding aside, General Ti has given the order for the assault," Rykrof tells them.

"I'll be leading the 334th to find the Quarren we've been looking for while she leads the main force against the Separatists. But I want you and Ralbarr to stay here."

"I knew it," Freelo says as he looks away. "You go off on adventure and leave me to protect Ralbarr."

"There will come a time Freelo," Rykrof says.

"But this isn't the place for it. Besides, we need someone to stay back and watch over the base in case the droids counter strike."

Soon, Jedi Master Shaak Ti's forces begin the main attack...

...but to her surprise, the droid army does not charge forward to meet the assault.

Instead, the droids maintain a defensive position...

...leaving the clone force vulnerable to a broader range of fire.

"Get in closer!" she orders her troops, as she charges; slashing through a super battle droid on the front line.

"It's our only chance of overtaking them!"

Following the lead of the Jedi, the clone troopers advance on the Separatist positions...

...drawing the droids out into the open.

Back at the Republic base, Freelo expresses his discontent to Ralbarr.

"I'd much rather be on the front lines than be stuck here with you," he mumbles.

Suddenly a sniper blast strikes Freelo squarely in the chest!

In a flash, Ralbarr races for his blaster as Freelo collapses to the ground.

"Medic!" Freelo cries in terror.

The mighty Wookiee then fires a shot in the direction of the blast...

...killing the Badoo Corba sniper with a single shot.

After checking the area for additional attackers, Ralbarr checks on the Mon Calamari; who springs to his feet.

"I'm alive!" Freelo exclaims. "I'm so happy that I'm not dead!"

Meanwhile, Rykrof and Kala Mly Shundi's squad has located the Yam’rii scavenger, who like most mornings, is found rummaging through the debris looking for salvageable parts for resale.

"Greetings my friend," Kala says to the female alien.

"We are looking for the Quarren, Tessor. We have intelligence suggesting that if we find him, we can help rid this planet of the terrorist organization, Badoo Corba."

"A Quarren you seek? Search the abandoned warehouse that is located south of the pumping station," she says in a chirpy voice.

"I have witnessed many creatures entering the warehouse lately... a Quarren, a Twi’lek, a young human female, and... others," she squeaks.

"But be careful. The terrorists have far greater numbers than you have in your party.”

"You have our gratitude,” Kala Mly Shundi says.

"Finding this traitor will help the Republic liberate this planet from both the droid army and the insurgency. No longer will this Quarren bring trouble to Kobridor."

Less than one hour later, Rykrof's group locates the warehouse specified by the Yam’rii informant.

"This is it," Rykrof tells the group.

"Be ready for anything," he advises Captain Andar.

Once inside, the group finds themselves in an eerily lit corridor.

The group then cautiously explores the building...

...and immediately comes across what appears to be their intended target.

"Something's not right here," Rykrof says as Captain Andar approaches the Quarren.

Captain Andar then spins around the chair of the alien...

...whose lifeless corpse falls to the floor!

A cold sweat breaks out throughout Rykrof’s body as Kala turns towards Rykrof.

"This is a trap," the Jedi tells him. "The Badoo Corba knew we were coming."

Suddenly the data monitor on the workstation chimes to life...

...revealing the image of a young woman lying in an alleyway.

As he views the screen, a sickness comes over Rykrof unlike any he has ever felt... more powerful than the culmination of every fear he has previously experienced in his life.

"It's your wife," Kala says in disbelief.

"I present a welcoming gift to you for visiting Kobridor!" an evil voice laughs as the screen displays the body of Alyssa Enloe.

In exchange for her life, the Badoo Corba offers to take her husband into custody. When we arrive to pick him up at your present location, Rykrof Enloe will be alone and unarmed."

"She is in the central district just south of what remains of Ramar Bank," the cruel voice hisses, revealing the hideous face of a Twi'lek.

"In exactly 15 minutes my snipers will implode her beautiful skull. You have until that time to find and rescue her. The Jedi must accompany your clone troopers but I suggest you leave now. Any attempts at trickery and she will be promptly terminated."

"Rykrof, I will stay here with you," Kala Mly Shundi says solemnly.

"No, we have no time to discuss this. Do exactly as they say... this is no bluff; they'll kill her," Rykrof says sternly.

"Find my wife and get her off this rock. And promise me you'll protect her... and if my son is still alive, you will see to it that he is safe," he says.

Torn with emotion, Kala puts his hand on his friend's shoulder.

"May the Force be with you," he whispers.

Rykrof then stares as the terminal, wondering how the Badoo Corba managed to abduct Alyssa from their home on Naboo and if their son has been captured as well.

Minutes later, Master Shundi's team locates Alyssa and helps the stumbling woman to her feet.

OHH! This is SOOO Cool Chewie! Awesome! kudos always to a great job well done!!! I love what you did with the vintage Impieral transport.Most Cool! Your custom and characters,MOST AWESOME! I absolutely loved this chapter redo!

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The ablity to speak does not make you intelligent - now get out of here!

I had never seen this chapter prior to the redo, it is very good! Okay, it is not your best one definitely, I still like the first couple, Muunist (is that what it was called), and Rhen Var but still this story is gonna have me wondering how, what, and why until I see your next one (when!?!).

I liked seeing the Corellian tortoise's armor choice save his life (clone trooper armor definitely wouldn't have done that well, and Freelo would be gone). 'Medic!'

Mubaas' character is great because it makes the reader HATE him!

I hate Tylin, too!

I will definitely be curious to see how the Badoo Coorba or whatever theyre called managed to abduct her on Naboo--or maybe she wasnt on Naboo... I still think that Alyssa isnt who we think she is, but just a theory.

I also cant wait for Tradeon to appear again so we can get his story.

One more thing, I really like seeing Rykrof have his own unit, and the clone customs look amazing! Cant wait to see Rykrof, the 334th, and Kala together during Order 66.

One more thing, Yamrii are the coolest, I used to have a pet mantis (named Kitik) so it was awesome to see a Yamrii in your pn!

hey chewie, again great chapter, i'll go ahead and echo my comments from yak here. good work man!

man, i know i say this on every chapter, but that seriously has to be the best one yet!

i mean the original was good, but that one added so much more suspense and anticipation, even though i already knew what the out come would be, great work!

-first off i have to say that what made this chapter one of the best, is the sceneary, back drops and props. the walls of th city they were fighting in were just outstanding! the battle damage and destroyed enviorment gave such good compliments to the custom figures. even standing alone the backround looks great.

-once again your blster effects look great especially the ones fromthe walker coming right toward the screen. the new PI software your using seems to be doing your PN's justice. is it an expansion set?

-as to be expected your customs are outstanding. from the troopers to the droid transport to the citizens, they all set into this story well.

-as before it was cool to see a movie jedi in action there, shaak ti. that custom still works well.

-the fact that rykrof has his own leigon now is just sick. and the light blue grey color you chose is definetley a great choice for clone armor markings. the fact that you mixed in small bits of new armor on the elite rykrof troops while standard troops are still in phase 1 armor is cool. it really adds to the fact that these are an elite battle hardened group, provided with the best equipment, like special forces in the real military...

-freelo is a clown and i can't belive rykrof dosn't just slap some sense and tact to him everynow and then! :lol: he is definetley a great charecter that really adds to the diversityof rukroffs trusted crew. he has absolutley no tact when talking to alyssa enloe! :lol:

-kala mly's role in this chapter seems to be a bit more expanded from what i remeber of the original. that is a welcome addition. this is oneof my favortie charecters in your PN's and i'm looking forward to the next chapter when he is tempted by dooku.

-the desk scene's with rykrof's wife on the little computer screen is awsome. i can't belive how clear you made that pic on such a small area. great work!

-i liked the presence of a geonosian on the sep's side. that was cool.

overall a great chapter with lots of action and more charecter develpoment than the original. it definetley leaves you wanting more and i can't wait for the next one!

great work chewie!

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=jEdIsTyLe=---------------------------------------------------------" The first soap was made from the ashes of hero's, with out pain, with out sacrifice, we would have nothing."

Deanna Rash - Thanks Deanna, I appreciate that you always leave everyone feedback on their photonovels. I'm glad you liked the transport and the customs.

Robo-Quack - Thanks buddy, I did like the original of this one quite a bit, and sometimes it's hard trying to make the "new" chapter seem different than the original; at least to the point to keep a reader interested who did read the first version of it. Glad you liked this compared to the early stories when Rykrof was still a Peace Officer (Munilist was Chapter 4 - wow that's a long time ago!).

Glad you are finding distaste for Tylin Gere. He's a bastard, and there will come a point in the series where his decisions will have a huge impact on the road Rykrof follows as he gets older.

As for Alyssa, she was abducted and I can say that she's not in on any conspiracy or anything like that. But how was she abducted so easily? That will be revealed around Chapter 22 - but a bit will be hinted next chapter.

Traedon will be back too, and the whole gang will be making appearances again, and sad to say, they won't all live.

Thanks very much for the comments Robo-Quack!

jedistyle - Thanks man, you've been a part of this series since day 1 it seems when the first "Crisis on Abridon" was made. I can't say enough how much I appreciate your feedback and still reading these.

Your reviews are so detailed and give me a lot of feedback and ideas... especially now that you're in the photonovel game now too (and doing awesome I might add)! Right now I'm using both photoimpact 10 and 12 - trial versions. I'll have to get one eventually for sure for permanent use. I'm also very glad that you like Rykrof's own legion. It won't be the last time they go into battle together. Look for more on Kala in the coming chapters like you hinted, and I'm glad you enjoyed the character development more this time around. Thank you!

findswoman - Thanks for the comments and feedback Finds! I really like Mubaas Fuuda, I think he's much more fitting as a terrorist leader than his brother, Trigg (Trigg was killed by Darth Sidious himself after Trigg arranged for an assassination attempt on Palpatine, thinking this would secure a position with the Separatists). But Zeedo Chissis is the guy that Rykrof really needs to watch out for...

Rykrof's son was born at the onset of the Clone Wars, and has only appeared twice -

I have to say, that both Alyssa and Rykrof's son may not survive the war, as the entire Enloe family have become targets of the Badoo Corba.

Flacksguy - Yep, this one is a bit different from the original... mainly, the droids attacking Kala and the clones who saved Alyssa this time around. Most of the other things are the same, but new customs and figures used, as well as entirely new sets. Naked girls? Ha Ha... look for a somewhat racy image at some point at least when Freelo is in a bar later on in a chapter.

Matt_Fury - Thanks for the feedback buddy - the clone redos are some of my favorite customs. I'll probably make several more with that paint scheme. I really like the color a lot.

Asf for the dimly lit hallway - I think that's what it was mentioned as in the original version, but now it's mentioned as "eerily lit corridor" - is that the same frame you're referring to, or something else?

Again, thanks everyone for taking the time to read and comment. I haven't started the next chapter yet, been extremely busy. But I'll try to start working on the custom diorama sets for it this week!